Happy with braces
Are your child's teeth crooked, too far forward or too far back? Or do you experience discomfort from irregular teeth? Braces can help straighten the teeth.
Brace treatment
Braces can also be the solution if there is too little space in the mouth or if the teeth and molars do not fit together properly. Often there is a combination of incorrect jaw growth and an irregular position of the teeth. Braces treatment, also called orthodontic treatment, is performed by an orthodontist or a dentist who specialises in orthodontics.
Getting to know the orthodontist
The first visit is to get to know each other, but also to see whether orthodontic treatment is desirable in the short term, or whether the treatment needs to be started at a later date. If this first examination shows that treatment in the short term is useful, follow-up appointments are made.
Recording the situation in the mouth
To make a treatment plan, an extensive examination is necessary. During the first consultation, the situation in the mouth is recorded, the situation of the bone and jaw growth is also important in drawing up the treatment plan. That is why we make x-rays, dental models (the so-called 'biting') and colour photos.
Active treatment
After all the data has been collected, the orthodontist will study it and make a treatment plan. During a subsequent appointment, this plan will be discussed with your child and/or with you and you will receive an explanation of the active treatment: the brace(s) to be used, the expected duration of treatment, the rates and the house rules regarding appointments and payments.
Placement of the bracket
Each treatment begins with the placement of the brace: a loose brace, a night brace, an external brace, a bracket brace, there are many kinds. Of course, it is discussed in advance which type will be placed. After that, depending on the type of brace, a check-up visit is necessary once every four, six or more weeks. The brace is then checked and adjusted.
Control appointments
Strict adherence to check-up appointments is essential for successful treatment: every missed appointment will result in an extension of the treatment. Unfortunately, appointments cannot always take place outside school and work hours. The final duration of a treatment cannot be determined exactly in advance, but on average you can expect a treatment to last one and a half to two years.
